03/11/2022

Bernal's first scheduled race of 2023 revealed

Egan Bernal has, according to INEOS' staff, fully recovered from his injuries. It is one of the most incredible ever recoveries in sports, and right now the Colombian is hoping to perform at a high level in 2023. His first race of the season is already decided.

INEOS Grenadiers' DS Matteo Tosatto said in an interview with Gazetta dello Sport that "Bernal will almost certainly start at the Vuelta a San Juan, in the heat of Argentina, and Ganna will be there too." The South American race will allow Bernal to race close to his home in Colombia, whilst also having low pressure in his opening race days of the season. Recently Filippo Ganna also confirmed he will begin his 2023 campaign in there.

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“Egan needs to build endurance and get some race rhythm, so I foresee some short stage races of five or six days to build up again: like Algarve, Ruta del Sol, Valenciana or the UAE Tour," Tosatto continued.

The Argentinian race will take place from the 22nd to the 29th of January 2023 and Bernal's one-year anniversary from his life-threatening accident will take place there. His goals for the upcoming season are naturally to be determined throughout the season, but Tosatto is confident that the ambitions will be high. Bernal finished his season in September to return to his home in Colombia where he underwent a knee surgery that has fully aided his recovery.

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“Resolving the problems with his knee has removed any doubt,” the Italian manager said.. “He could set off relaxed on his holidays. He looked good, very determined. In Nice, he said to me: ‘I can start the season like I’ve always done, like a real rider, and not like an injured rider thinking about the pain he feels. I want to get back to who I was before.”

“For the full programme, we’ll have to see how he goes in Spring." As for his agent Giuseppe Acquadro, he also confirmed that "if Bernal recovers and goes well, his Grand Tour will be the Tour de France. Ineos can’t do without him."